In this intense self-portrait, the artist confronts us with her image framed by lush, oversized green leaves that almost engulf her serene but resolute expression. The composition, tightly centered, anchors her face as the focal point, while a thorn necklace entwines her neck like an emblem of pain and resilience, trapping a delicate hummingbird at its center — a striking juxtaposition between beauty and suffering. A black cat lurks behind her right shoulder, its emerald eyes piercing the scene with an eerie gaze, while a spider monkey on her left seems contemplative, gently touching one of the branches. Subtle butterflies flutter around her braided hair, adding a hint of delicate life amidst the thorny entanglement. The artist’s mastery shines brightest in the meticulous rendering of facial features and textures; each leaf, strand of hair, and the bird’s iridescent feathers are rendered with extraordinary detail. The muted but rich palette — deep greens, the soft blush of her skin, and stark blacks — enhances the emotional gravity, evoking themes of inner torment and strength. Painted during a turbulent period marked by personal physical suffering and emotional struggles, this work bridges the intimate with the symbolic, making it not just a portrait but a visual poem about endurance and identity.